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Meet the ClubFootball Coaches - 1

ClubFootball's coaching team are all qualified professional coaches from the UK & Europe and have experience of coaching youngsters at all levels, from grassroots to elite professional club academy level. All are passionate about providing a developmental footballing experience and helping youngsters enjoy their football and improve their game. For profiles of more ClubFootball coaches, please click on the Intro link in the top tool bar and select a link.

Director of Coaching - Alex Arnold

Alex is a Physical Education Graduate from Edge Hill University, Lancashire, England. He holds the UEFA B license and FA Youth Modules, the American USSF C license as well as being a qualified coach in Athletics, Gymnastics and SAQ®.

Having had his playing career cut short through injury he made the decision to go into coaching. After completing his degree Alex began coaching for Liverpool FC. Alex spent 4 years working within their Elite Academy and 2 years as a Head Coach of their International Football Academy. He was a key figure in the rapid growth and success of LFC’s International Academies across the world and joined ClubFootball in 2013. In addition to leading the ClubFootball coaching team, Alex is also a Lead Coach on delivering Premier Skills coach education courses across China as part of ClubFootball's cooperation with the Premier League and British Council.

Alex brings a real global knowledge base to the club having coached players and educated coaches in England, North America and Hawaii, North Africa, South Korea, China, Scandinavia and throughout Europe.

Assistant Director of Coaching (Programmes) – Colum Curtis

Colum is from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and has completed his UEFA B license and the IFA youth license, and is also a qualified fitness instructor.

As a youngster, he spent 5 years at the Manchester United Academy in Belfast, and represented Northern Ireland at Under 18 level numerous times. He has played for a number of professional sides including Notts Co, Glentoran and Cliftonville and also represented his country again in the UEFA regions cup in which he played all over Europe. Juggling playing and coaching in Northern Ireland, Colum coached for various academies with links to Sunderland, QPR and Brentford, and has coached players who have subsequently joined the Academies of Manchester United, Liverpool and Sunderland.

Before joining ClubFootball in 2015, Colum spent 2 successful years coaching in the US.

Head of Youth Development – Rob Skupien

Rob is from Sheffield, and represented South Yorkshire schoolboys at U18s level. He also played for Hallam FC, the second oldest football club in the world.

His coaching experience ranges from kids and youth soccer, to students and men’s leagues at both regional and national level, and includes working with Manchester City FC as well as the successful Sport Domain Academy in the USA. In addition to his FA Coaching qualifications, Rob also holds a degree in e-commerce from the University of Manchester.

Rob joined ClubFootball in 2013 and, in addition to his regular coaching duties, he delivers Premier Skills Coach Education courses aross China as part of ClubFootball's cooperation with the Premier League and British Council.